Food press and dies

ABSTRACT

A press for shaping comestible products, such as meat and the like, in a tubular die aperture or cavity of uniform cross section by a ram, preferably made of a nontoxic or edible plastic, for example, Nylon, reciprocable in the die aperture by a cylinder and piston-type fluid actuator constructed so that no portion of the piston rod that might extend into the die aperture is retracted into the cylinder of the fluid actuator. The die aperture is formed by a channel-shaped stationary die means and a channel-shaped movable die means at least partially receivable, when the die means are closed, in the stationary die means, each die means being preferably shaped or oriented to maximize opposed forming or pressing areas. The movable die means is moved by a toggle link mechanism actuated by a cylinder and piston-type fluid actuator. Travel or movement of the movable die means into the stationary die means is limited to prevent engagement of the die means at the periphery of the die cavities therein. Clearance is provided between the die means for the escape of air entrapped in the die aperture when a product is compressed therein.

United 1 States Patent,

Bettcher [451 Dec. 5, 1972 1541 FOOD PRESS AND DIES PrimaryExaminer-Billy J. Wilhite [72] Inventor: Louis A. Bettcher, Amherst,Ohio At-mmeywattsl Hoffman fisher & Hemke [73] Assignee: BettcherIndustries, Inc., Bir- [57] ABSTRACT I vg Ohm A press for shapingcomestible products, such as meat Flledi Apr 1971 and the like, in atubular die aperture or cavity of Related US. Application Data uniformcross section by a ram, preferably made of a nontoxic or edible plastic,for example, Nylon, reciprocable in the die aperture by a cylinder andpiston-type fluid actuator constructed so that no por- [63] 8 :32? g53223332 352 3 ZZ Z' tion of the piston rod that might extend into thedie 67482 A 27 1970 i aperture is retracted into the cylinder of thefluid actuator. .The die aperture is formed by a channel- 52 u.s.c1...100/232 100/218 100/249 Shaped Statimtary die means and channel-Shaped100/272, 100/295, I00/DIG, 1d movable die means at least partiallyreceivable, when 1511 Int. Cl. ..B30b 7/04 the the meant are elesed, inthe stationary die means. 58 Field 61 Search ..18/47 R; 31/44; 17/38;99/349; h h means bemg P f y p or oriented to 100/232, 295, 42,218, 269R, DIG. I0, 272, maximize opposed formmg or P g areas- The 2 214 249movable die means is moved by a toggle link I mechanism actuated by acylinder and piston-type 56] References Cit d fluid actuator. Travel ormovement of the movable die means into the stationary die means islimited to UNITED STATES PATENTS prevent engagement of the die means atthe periphery 2932 246 4/1960 Galas ..100/232 of the the cavitiesthereitt- Cleetenee is Provided 3:146:285 8/1964 Munk ..100/295 xbetween the die means for the eeeaPe of air entrapped 2,965,946 12/1960Sweet et a1 .18/47R in the die aperture when a'preduet is eempressed3,327,622 6/1967 Lebovitz ..100/232 l 2,565,245 8/1951 Lebovitz..l.00/232X 3,040,654 6/1962 Opie 100/232 x 10 i s 7 Draw";

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,271,402 7/1961 France ("99/349 1% c so156- -|54 4off ,42

s, L --1 I11 a T 111 G6 321 5o 61 llO r11). {6

e 1 e i i Ill I 48 W/ m U FOOD PRESS AND DIES RELATES CASES FIELD OFINVENTION l This invention relates to apparatus for compressing andshaping c'omestible products.

PRIOR ART Food products, especially meat products, such as ground meat,steaks, knuckles and the like, are often pressed into blocks or loavesof desired density and shape, typically while frozen orsemi-frozen, forsubsequent processing, such as, slicing into pieces of generally uniformsize, shape and weight. Presses for this purpose have utilizedrelatively movable opposed die members which when closed form a tubularaperture within which the product is compressed by a reciprocable ram.In such prior art devices, however,

the peripheral sides of the die cavities terminated in lands lying inthe same plane at right angles to the path of relative movement betweenthe dies with the result that the opening of the die cavities wererelatively narrow making the press hard to load in many instances andoccurance of product between the lands interferred with the properclosing of the press. Because of the aforementioned and other reasonsthe prior art presses have not been entirely satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides a novel and improvedfood press and die means, particularly adapted for the pressing ofcomestible products, especially meat and fish, into predetermined form,by a ram reciprocable in the aperture or cavity formed when the dies areclosed.

One of the die means is channel-shaped with parallel sides and a diecavity of uniform cross-sectional shape at the bottom of the channel andthe other is at least partially receivable in the channel of the firstmentioned die means with a die cavity also of uniform cross-sectionalshape in the portion received in the channel of the first mentioned diemeans. The longitudinal peripheral edges of the die cavities are offsetfrom one another in the direction of the relative movement between thedies so as to provide wider openings to the cavities than wouldotherwise be the case to facilitate loading of the press and the diecavities are preferably irregular in transverse cross-sectional shape sothat during closing, the dies apply a greater than normal force to aproduct being compressed in the direction transversely of the directionof relative movement between the die. The die members also arepreferably so constructed that there are no abutting planar areas 60derstood and further advantages, as well as objects, 65

thereof will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and theensuing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION-OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a good pressembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation with portions broken away of the press shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view approximately on the line 33 of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 4 to 7 are transverse sectional views similar to a part of FIG. 3illustrating modified die assemblies.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred apparatus embodyingthe invention is a food press, designated generally as A, comprising twodie means or die assemblies, B, C, at least one of which is movabletoward and from the other by means including toggle linkage mechanism Dwhich assures predetermined travel of the die means or members towardand from one another. When the dies are closed they form a tubular dieaperture or cavity E of uniform cross section within which the productbeing processed is compressed by a reciprocating ram F. All of theoperating mechanism of the press is carried by a plate 10 detachablyconnected to and closing a frame or base which is in the form of acabinet G enclosing the operating mechanism of the press. The plate 10and the operating mechanism can be readily removed as a unit from thecabinet to facilitate maintenance, etc. of the press.

The die means or assembly B is stationary and comprises a channel-shapeddie box 14 having a removable die insert 16 detachably connected theretoand provided with a die cavity 18 of uniform cross-sectional shapeextending from end to end. The cavity 18 is in the bottom of thechannel-shaped die assembly and in the side of the die insert farthestfrom the plate 10 and preferably extends essentially the full width ofthe insert with its peripheral side edges reaching to or essentially toor terminating at the lateral sides of the die insert and the planarsides of the die box facing one another. The die box 14 is detachablysecured to the outer side of the plate 10 of the press proper andcomprises two side plates 20, 22 fixed to a bottom plate 24, but may bemade in one piece, if desired. The die insert 16 is removably secured inthe die box in a suitable manner as by bolts, screws and/or dowel pins.

The die means or assembly C is movable and comprises a die or die insert30 detachably connected to the side of a movable plate or platen 34facing the outer side of the plate 10. The member 30 has a die cavity 36in its side opposite the side connected in the platen 34. The cavity 36is of uniform cross-section shape from end to end of the insert and itsperipheral side edges preferably extend essentially to or terminating atthe lateral sides of the member 30.

The platen 34 is connected to the ends of four rods or draw bars 40, 42,44, 46 projecting outwardly from the cabinet G through suitableapertures in the plate 10. The other ends of the draw bars 40, 42, 44,46 are connected to a platen 48 located within the cabinet or housing Gof the press and adapted to be reciprocated towards and from the plate10 to open and close the die assemblies by the toggle linkage mechanismD. The platen 48 is provided with a guide in the form of a bar 50projecting through a suitable aperture in the lefthand end of theplaten, as viewed in FIG. 2, and having its upper end fixedly secured inthe plate and its lower end slidably received in an aperture in a member52 fixed, as by welding, to the wall of the housing or cabinet Gopposite to the plate 10.

The toggle linkage mechanism D for reciprocating the platen 48 and inturn the movable die means C comprises two sets of toggle linksconnected to the side of the platen 48 facing the plate 10 -adjacent toopposite end thereof, as viewed in FIG. 2, and to the adjacent side ofthe plate 10. The first set of toggle links comprise two links 60.having their one ends pivotally connected to opposite ends of a shaft 64carried by a pair of brackets 66, 68, fixedly secured to the side of thetable 10, facing the platen 48, as by bolts, welding, etc. The oppositeends of the links 60 are pivotally connected to opposite ends of a shaft70 to which shaft the one ends of the links 72 of the toggle mechanismare also pivoted. The other ends of the links 72 are pivotally connectedto a shaft 76 carried by brackets 80, 82 fixedly connected as by bolts,welding, etc., to

the sideof the platen 48 facing the plate 10. The two shafts 64, 76 arein the same plane normal to the outer surface of the plate 10 andparallel with thelength of the rods or drawbars 40, 42.

The second or right-hand set of toggle links comprise two links 88,similar to the links 60 of the first set and like the links of the firstset, pivotally connected to opposite ends of a shaft 92 carried bybrackets fixedly connected to the side of the plate 10 facing the platen48. The other ends of the links 88 are pivotally connected to oppositeends of a shaft 98 to which shaft the one ends of a pair of links 100 ofthe second set of toggle links are also pivotally connected. The otherends of the links 100 are connected to a shaft 104 carried by bracketsfixedly connected to the side of the platen 48 facing the plate 10. Theshafts 92, 104 lie in the same plane normal to the outer surface of theplate 10 and parallel to the length of the rods or drawbars 44, 46.

The two sets of toggle links are connected together by links 110, 112opposite ends of which are pivotally connected to the shaft 70, 98. Thelinks 110, 112 are spaced from one another and from the other links onthe shafts 70, 98, by suitable spacers. The right-hand end of the links110 and 112, as viewed in FIG. 2, extend a short distance to the rightof the shaft 98 and are connected by a cross member 120 to which isconnected the left-hand end of a piston rod 126 of a reciprocating-type,double acting hydraulic actuator H, including the cylinder assembly 128.The right-hand end of the cylinder assembly 128 of the hydraulicactuator H is pivotally connected to a shaft 130 extending betweenoppositely projecting sides of a heavy metal channel member 132 which inturn is connected to the underside of a heavy metal, rectangular,tubular member 134, fixedly connected to the side of the plate 10 facingthe interior of the cabinet. G. The piston rod of the actuator H is inline with the guide member 50 so that the thrust of the actuator istaken by the guide member 50 rather than the draw bars which connect themembers 34, 48. The toggle linkage mechanism D is so constructed thatwhen the dies are closed the links thereof are at or approximately atdead center thus assuring closing the dies to a predetermined relativeposition upon each actuation of the press The toggle linkage mechanismpreferably limits the extent that the dies close upon each operation ofthe press such that the opposed portions of the dies are slightly spacedfrom one another when the press is closed.

The aperture or cavity E formed by the dies or die'assemblies B, C whenthe press is closed, preferably is irregular in transversecross-sectional shape, has a major and a minor dimension with the majordimension inclined to the direction of movement of the movable die, andmay be similar to that of a commercially available meat product, forexample, a slab of bacon, a ham, or'a loin. The recesses or cavities 18and 36, in the respective die inserts also preferably blend with theadjacent side walls of the die box, have opposed relatively flatportions inclined to the direction of the relative movement between thedie inserts, and are oriented such that the long transverse dimension isaskew to the path of movement of the movabledie and such that the forcesapplied to a product being compressed transversely of the direction ofrelative movement between the die means upon the closing of the press isgreater than would otherwise be the case. The side edges of the diecavities areofi'set in the direction of relative movement between thedie means relative to one another so as to increase the size of theiropening, that is, the openings into the die cavities. The provision ofthis type of die means having large cavity openings facilitates loadingof the press. This is especially advantageous if the product to becompressed is initially distorted so as to make its entrance into thedie cavities difficult, such as, being curved with reference to itslength.

Clearance between the stationary and movable dies B, C, is preferablyvery small, only sufiicient to provide an adequate path for escaped airand the like, but not large enough to allow product being compressed tobe forced therethrough. Clearances on the order of about 0.0075 inch perside, have been found satisfactory. The facing sides of the die inserts16, 30 preferably do not touch one another at anyplace although the sideedges thereof closely approach each other. This, together with the factthat the cavities 18 and 36 preferably extend to, or substantially to,and blend into the sides of the stationary die avoids any possibility ofthe dies not properly closing because of the presence of productentrapped between opposed flat planar surfaces about the periphery ofthe die cavities. When the die inserts 16, 30 do not touch one anotheralong their adjacent side edges, portions of the inner planar sides ofthe members 20, 22 of the die box cooperate with the cavities 18, 36 toform the die aperture E. The die insert or member 30 is detachablyconnected to the platen 34 by machine screws 138 and dowels 136. Thedowels 136 are employed to assure proper location of the member 30equally between the sides of the die box.

The ram F, as previously mentioned, conforms to the aperture or cavity Ebetween the die means when the press is closed with a clearance of about0.006 inches thereabout, and is adapted to be reciprocated in theaperture E by a reciprocating-type, double acting hydraulic actuator Jincluding a piston rod 140 projecting from a cylinder assembly 142through a suitable packing gland 143 at or adjacent to the left-hand endof the cylinder assembly, as viewed in the drawings. The ram F isconnected to the projecting end of the piston rod 140. The cylinderassembly 142 is supported by suitable brackets on the outer side of theplate and is located at the right-hand side of the fixed die means B, adistance such that no portion of the piston rod 140 which is retractedinto the cylinder assembly 142 moves into the cavity E thereby avoidingpossible contamination of products being compressed by contaminants,such as oil, adhering to the piston rod 140 incident to its movementinto and out of the stuff'mg box at the left-hand end of the cylinderassembly. The stroke of the actuator J and the distance of the cylinderassembly 142from the dies is preferably not less than the length of thedie apertures E, and such that the ram F can be used to eject acompressed product through the left-hand end of the lower die, ifdesired.

The right-hand ends of the die cavities are preferably open except forthe ram F and when the press is closed, the left-hand end of theaperture or cavity E formed by the die means is closed by a plate 150bolted or otherwise suitably fixed to the left-hand end of the platen34. The plate 150 projects over the end of the die cavity in the diemeans 30 and closes the cavity E when the press is closed with the freeend of the plate engaged between the left-hand end of the fixed dieassembly and a member 152 bolted or otherwise suitably fixed to theleft-hand end of the plate 10. The member 152 acts as a support orbackup for the free end of the plate 150. A small clearance may beprovided between the end of the die means B, C and the plate 150 for theescape of air from the end of the die aperture E, if necessary.Alternatively one or more small apertures extending through the plate150 may be provided. In order to prevent any possible spreading of theupper ends of the side members 20, 22 of the die box, one or moreabutment or stop members 154, 156 can be connected to the platen 34 in aposition such that they are adjacent to the outside sides of the top ofthe die box when the press is closed. The inner upper corners of themembers 154, 156 are preferably broken or relieved as indicated at 158to allow the escape of any product material that may be entrappedbetween the upper ends of the die box 14 and the platen 34. Theapertures 158 preferably increase in cross-section from about theirmidpoint to their ends.

Fluid pressure, preferably liquid, for operating the actuators H, J, canbe supplied in any convenient manner, such as, by the provision of amotor driven fluid pump within the cabinet G. The actuators arepreferably hydraulically-operated and the pressure liquid for operatingthe same is preferably obtained from a source outside of the cabinetconnected to supply and return conduits or fittings 160, 162 at theright-hand side of the cabinet which fittings are in turn connected toconduits 164, 166 connected to suitable three-way valves 170, 172, atthe near side of the cabinet, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2. The valves170, 172 are in turn connected to the actuators H, J, respectively, bysuitable fluid lines or conduits. The conduits 174, 176, connecting thefluid valve 170 with the actuator H, preferably comprises quickdisconnect fittings fixed to the member 132 so that when it is desiredto remove the plate 10 and the parts carried thereby the hydraulic linesto the valve 170 can be readily disconnected. Similar quick disconnectfittings are employed in the fluid lines 180, 172 connecting the valve172 with the actuator J. These fitting may be carried on the side of theplate 10 which faces the interior of the cabinet.

In the embodiment illustrated, the cylinder assembly 142 of the ramactuator is stationary and the ram F is connected to the movable pistonrod 140. It is to be understood, however, that the cylinder-positionassembly J can be turned end for end with the projecting end of thepiston rod connected to a stationary member, such as, a bracket on theplate 10, and thecylinder movably supported with the ram either directlyconnected to the cylinder assembly in which event the ram might have alength equal to the stroke of the cylinder-piston assembly or the ramcould be connected to the cylinder assembly through an intermediatemember capable of being received in the die cavity.

The stationary die assembly B, shown in the preferred embodiment,comprises the die box 14 and the insert die member 30. This facilitateschanging dies as it is merely necessary to replace one set of inserts byanother set having desired different cavities therein. Handling of thedie assemblies may be facilitated by attaching the movable die insert toa plate-like member adapted to rest upon the top of or on an outwardlyfacing surface of the die box asillustrated in FIG. 4, where a dieinsert 30', in all essential respects similar to the die 30, is carriedby a plate which plate is in turn detachably connected to the platen 34.The plate 190 is slightly wider than the die 30 and the projecting edgesextend into apertures in the projecting ends of the adjacent side wallsof the die box 14. When the die assembly C is so constructed the dieassemblies may be handled as a unit and be readily installed in thepress by first placing the stationary die assembly adjacent to, or inthe case of a vertical press, on the plate 10 and securing it thereto asby machine screws extending through the plate 10 and having threadedengagement in suitably tapped holes in the cross plate 24 of the die boxand, if desired, the insert 16. The movable die means or assembly C canthereafter be placed against or on the stationary die assembly B withthe flanges provided by the projecting edges of the plate 190 engagingand/or resting upon the top of the die box or ledgesprovided byapertures in the projecting ends of the side walls of the die box. Withthe platen 34 positioned closely adjacent to the plate 190 the movabledie assembly can be readily attached to the platen 34 by machine screwsand dowels extending through the platen 34 and engaged in suitableapertures in the plate 190 and, if desired, the insert 30.

Die inserts of smaller size can be readily employed by using side fillermembers in die box 14. When filler plates are employed in a die box ofgiven size, it will be apparent that die inserts will be of less widththan the width of the die box without the filler members and will form asmaller product aperture. As a further alternative construction, dieshaving multiple product apertures E-Z, E-3 rather than the singleaperture E, of the preferred embodiment, can be provided as illustratedin FIG. 5. This, however, usually requires a die box 210 of greaterwidth than the die box shown in the preferred embodiment and one havinga central partition, such as the partition 212. The two sets of dieinserts are designated 214, 216 and 218, 220.

As a further suggested alternative construction, the die assembliesshown can be made integral or in one piece, as illustrated in FIG. 6,rather than consisting of two or more parts. In FIG. 6 the stationaryand movable die members are designated M, N, respectively, and theproduct aperture therebetween 1-3-2. The aperture E-3 is a duplicate ofthe aperture E and the product apertures E-a, E-e, E-3 are generallysimilar to E. It is also to be understood that the configuration of theproduct aperture may be of any desired shape. A suggested alternateshape to that shown in the preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG.7. The aperture E-4, shown in FIG. 7, is essentially oval ordiamond-shaped with the long axis thereof being inclined to thedirection of movement of the movable die assembly. The stationary andmovable die inserts shown in FIG. 7 are designated 222, 224,respectively. The other parts of the press shown are similar to thecorresponding parts of the preferred embodiment and are designated bythe same reference characters. v

The press A, illustrated, is a vertical-type press with the movable dietraveling linearly in a vertical direction. It is to be understood,however, that the movable die may be moved in anarcuate path. Theright-hand end of the movable die, or more preferably an extensionthereof, for example, could be pivoted near the right-hand end of thepress and the left-hand end oscillated about the connection by thehydraulic actuator, etc. Alternatively, the dies could be rotated 90about their longitudinal axis and the movable die either reciprocated oroscillated in a horizontal path rather than a vertical path.

The ram F shown is rather short referring to its direction of movementin the die cavity and is typically made of stainless steel as are thedies B, C. As previously suggested, however, the ram F might be as longor longer than the stroke of the cylinder assembly J. If the ram F hassubstantial length it is necessary that the right-hand end of thecavities in the dies be open to permit its reciprocation therein. Aspreviously suggested, the ram may be made of a nontoxic and/or edibleplastic, for example, Nylon. This is also true of the dies B, C. The useof such material is particularly advantageous as it is nonporous, willnot absorb bacteria, is highly resistant to acids and alkalines, has aclean appearance, becomes whiter with age, is light in weight, can beeasily cleaned and is a poor conductor of heat which is advantageous ina press used to reform frozen products. Nylon being slightly elastic isparticularly advantageous when used as ram material because themanufacturing tolerances are less than with metal and the leadingperipheral parts flex acting as a wiper seal thus preventing extrusionor leakage of product around the ram, etc.

From the foregoing it will beapparent that the ob- I jects andadvantages heretofore enumerated have been accomplished and that therehas been provided a novel and improved press of the character describedfor compressing comestible products which is simple in construction,reliable in operation, will produce a product of predetermined shape anddensity, and in which the openings to the die cavities are larger thanusual.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described inconsiderable detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the particular construction shown and referred to and it isthe intention to hereby cover all adaptations and modifications thereofwhich come within the practice of those skilled in the art to which theinvention relates and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a press for shaping comestible products, such as meat or the likehaving: a first integral die; a second integral die; and mechanism forproducing relative movement between said dies to and from one another;each of said dies having in the sides thereof facing one another anelongated die cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape, said dies whentogether fonning a tubular aperture of non-cylindrical uniformcross-sectional shape having major and minor axes with a major axisinclined to the path of relative movement between said dies, said firstintegral die having spaced parallel sides extending from thelongitudinal side edges of saidfirst die cavity, and said side of edgesof each 'of said die cavities being offsetv relative to one another inthe direction of relative movement between said dies.

2. A press for shaping comestible products, such as meat orthe likehaving: a stationary die support; an integral channel-shaped first dieconnected to said stationary support and having an elongated cavity ofuniform cross-sectional shape in one side thereof; a movable diesupport; a second integral die connected to said movable die support andhaving a portion receivable in the channel of said first die and havinga second elongated cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape in theportion receivable in the channel of said first die and in the sidethereof opposite to said one side of said first die; mechanism formoving said movable die support to and from a position adjacent to saidstationary die support and in which said cavities in said dies form atubular aperture of non-cylindrical uniform cross-sectional shape havingmajor and minor axes with at least the major axis inclined to the pathof movement of said movable die support; said first die having spacedparallel sides extending from side edges of the first die cavity, saidside edges being offset relative to one another in the direction ofmovement of said movable die support; a ram conforming to thecross-sectional shape of said aperture formed by said first and seconddie when closed; and mechanism for reciprocating said ram.

v 3. A press for shaping comestible products, such as meat or the likehaving: a stationary die support; a first integral die connected to saidstationary support and having a channel in one side thereof with spacedparallel side portions and an elongated cavity of uniformcross-sectional shape in the bottom of the channel with side edgesadjoining ends of said parallel side portions, said cavity extending thefull width of the bottom of the channel; a movable die support; a secondintegral die connected to said movable die support and having a portionreceivable in the channel of said first die with a second elongatedcavity of uniform cross-sectional shape in the side of said second dieopposite to said one side of said first die, extending the full widththereof, and terminating in longitudinal side edges; mechanism formoving said movable die support to and from a position adjacent to saidstationary die support and in which said cavities in said dies form atubular aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape having major and minoraxes with at least the major axis inclined to the path of movement ofsaid movable die support; the side edges of each die cavity being offsetrelative to one another in the direction of movement of said movable diesupport; a ram conforming to the cross-sectional shape of said apertureformed by said first and second dies when closed; and mechanism forreciprocating said ram.

4. A press for shaping comestible products, such as meat or the likehaving: a stationary die support; a channel-shaped first integral dieconnected to said stationary support and having an elongated cavity ofuniform cross-sectional shape in one side thereof opening into one endof said die and extending the full width of the bottom of the channel; amovable die support; a second integral die connected to said movable diesupport and having a portion receivable in the channel of said first diewith a small clearance thereabout and having a second elongated cavityof uniform cross-sectional shape in the portion receivable in thechannel of said first die in the side thereof facing said one side ofsaid first die and extending the full width of said por tion; mechanismfor moving said second die to and from a position adjacent to said firstdie and in which said cavities in said dies form a tubular aperture ofnoncylindrical uniform cross-sectional shape having a major and minoraxis with the major axis inclined to the path of movement of saidmovable die support; a ram conforming to the cross-sectional shape ofsaid aperture formed by said first and second dies when closed; andmechanism for reciprocating said ram.

5. A die assembly for shaping a comestible product such as meat or thelike, comprising: a channel-shaped first integral die having spacedparallel surfaces facing one another and an elongated outwardly facingdie cavity in the bottom side of the channel extending the full widthbetween said spaced surfaces and extending lengthwise thereof, ofuniform cross-sectional shape having at least one end open and sideedges adjoining said parallel surfaces offset relative to one another;and a second integral die constructed to be at least partiallyreceivable between said spaced parallel surfaces of said first die whensaid dies are closed and having a second elongated die cavity of uniformcross-sectional shape at least one end of which is open facing said diecavity in said first die, said second die cavity being in the part ofsaid second die received between said spaced surfaces, extending thefull width of the receivable part, and terminating in longitudinal sideedges offset relative to one another; said cavities forming when saiddies are closed an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shapehaving a major and a minor axis with at least said major axis inclinedto said parallel surfaces.

6. A die assembly for shaping a comestible product such as meat or thelike, comprising: a channel-shaped first integral die having spacedparallel surfaces facing one another and an elongated outwardly facingdie cavity in the bottom side of the channel extending the full widthbetween said spaced surfaces and extending lengthwise thereof, ofuniform cross-sectional shape open at one end between the adjacent endsof said spaced surfaces and having side edges adjoining said parallelsurfaces offset relative to one another; and a second integral dieconstructed to be at least partially receivable between said spacedsurfaces of said first die when said dies are closed and having a secondelongated die cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape at least one endof which is open facing said die cavity of said first die, said seconddie cavity being in the part of said second .die received between saidspaced surfaces, extending the full width of the receivable part, andterminating in longitudinal side edges offset relative to one another anamount equal to the offset of said side edges of said die cavity of saidfirst die but in the reverse direction; said cavities forming when saiddies are closed an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shapehaving a major and a minor axis with at least the major axis inclined tosaid parallel surfaces.

7. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a stationary support, a movable die carrier on said support,a channel-shaped stationary integral die means carried by said supportand having spaced surfaces facing one another parallel to the plane ofmovement of said movable die carrier and an elongated outwardly facingdie cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape at least one end of which isopen, and extending the full width between the ends of said spacedsurfaces remote from said movable die carrier and having side edgesadjoining said parallel surfaces offset relative to one another in thedirection of movement of said movable die carrier, a movable integraldie means secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be atleast partially receivable between said spaced surfaces of saidstationary die means and having a second elongated die cavity of uniformcross-sectional shape open at both ends in the part receivable betweensaid spaced surfaces and facing said die cavity in said stationary diemeans, said second die cavity extending the full width of the partreceived between said spaced surfaces and terminating in longitudinalside edges offset relative to one another in the direction of movementof said movable die carrier an amount equal to the offset of said sideedges of said die cavity of said stationary die means but in the reversedirection, means to move said movable die carrier and the movable diemeans carried thereby between a first position spaced from saidstationary die means and a second position in which said movable diemeans extends into said stationary die means to form with the stationarydie means an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape havinga major and a minor axis with the major axis inclined to the plane ofmovement of said movable die carrier, a ram conforming in shape to theaperture cross-section and closely receivable within said aperture, aram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinallywithin said aperture from one end thereof.

8. A die assembly for shaping comestible products, such as meat or thelike, comprising: first and second integral die members adapted to bemoved towards and from one another, said first die member having a flatbase, parallel side portions extending from the base for receiving saidsecond die member and a concave connecting portion of uniform crosssection extending the full width between said side portions, thejunctures between said connecting portion and both side portions beingstraight and parallel, one being offset from, i.e., a different distancefrom said base than, the other, and said second die member having aportion receivable between said parallel side portions that terminatesin a cavity of uniform cross section facing said connecting portion;said die members forming a tubular aperture of non-cylindrical uniformcross-sectional shape having a major axis inclined to the planes of saidparallel side portions when said second die member is received in saidfirst die member.

9. A die assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein a portion of at leastone of said parallel sides of the first die member forms a part of saidtubular aperture.

10. A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a stationary support, a movable die carrier on said support,a charmel-shaped stationary integral die means carried by said supportand having spaced surfaces facing one another parallel to the plane ofmovement of said movable die carrier and an elongated outwardly facingdie cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape between the ends-of saidspaced surfaces remote from said movable die carrier and having sideedges along said parallel surfaces offset relative to one another in thedirection of movement of elongated die cavity of uniform cross-sectionalshape in the part receivable between said spaced surfaces and facingsaid die cavity in said stationary die means, said second die cavityterminating in longitudinal side edges offset relative to one another inthe direction of movement of said movable die carrier an amount equal tothe offset of said side edges of said die cavity of said stationary diemeans but in the reverse direction, means to move said movable diecarrier and the movable die means carried thereby between a firstposition spaced from said stationary die means and a second position inwhich said movable die means extends into said stationary die means toform with the stationary die means an elongated aperture of uniformcross-sectionalshape having a major and a minor axis with the major axisinclined to the plane of movement of said movable die carrier, a ramconforming in shape to the aperture cross-section and closely receivablewithin said aperture, and a ram actuator on said support forreciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture fro one endthereof.

232g? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent .No.3,704,665 D d December 5, 1972 Inventofls) Louis A. Bettcher It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 64, a new paragraph shouldhave been startedafter the word"ram."

Column- 2, line 1, "good should be 'food.

Column 2, line 53, "cross-section" should be ---cross sec'tional--.

Column 4, line 43, insert after the word "36," in the dies 16 and 30.

Column 7, line 6, "E-a, E-e" should be .'-El, E2

Signed and sealed this 17th day of April 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,CJR. ROBE-RT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner,of Patents L I I h

1. In a press for shaping comestible products, such as meat or the likehaving: a first integral die; a second integral die; and mechanism forproducing relative movement between said dies to and from one another;each of said dies having in the sides thereof facing one another anelongated die cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape, said dies whentogether forming a tubular aperture of non-cylindrical uniformcross-sectional shape having major and minor axes with a major axisinclined to the path of relative movement between said dies, said firstintegral die having spaced parallel sides extending from thelongitudinal side edges of said first die cavity, and said side of edgesof each of said die cavities being offset relative to one another in thedirection of relative movement between said dies.
 2. A press for shapingcomestible products, such as meat or the like having: a stationary diesupport; an integral channel-shaped first die connected to saidstationary support and having an elongated cavity of uniformcross-sectional shape in one side thereof; a movable die support; asecond integral die connected to said movable die support and having aportion receivable in the channel of said first die and having a secondelongated cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape in the portionreceivable in the channel of said first die and in the side thereofopposite to said one side of said first die; mechanism for moving saidmovable die support to and from a position adjacent to said stationarydie support and in which said cavities in said dies form a tubularaperture of non-cylindrical uniform cross-sectional shape having majorand minor axes with at least the major axis inclined to the path ofmovement of said movable die support; said first die having spacedparallel sides extending from side edges of the first die cavity, saidside edges being offset relative to one another in the direction ofmovement of said movable die support; a ram conforming to thecross-sectional shape of said aperture formed by said first and seconddie when closed; and mechanism for reciprocating said ram.
 3. A pressfor shaping comestible products, such as meat or the like having: astationary die support; a first integral die connected to saidstationary support and having a channel in one side thereof with spacedparallel side portions and an elongated cavity of uniformcross-sectional shape in the bottom of the channel with side edgesadjoining ends of said parallel side portions, said cavity extending thefull width of the bottom of the channel; a movable die support; a secondintegral die connected to said movable die support and having a portionreceivable in the channel of said first die with a second elongatedcavity of uniform cross-sectional shape in the side of said second dieopposite to said one side of said first die, extending the full widththereof, and terminating in longitudinal side edges; mechanism formoving said movable die support to and from a position adjacent to saidstationary die support and in which said cavities in said dies form atubular aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape having major and minoraxes with at least the major axis inclined to the path of movement ofsaid movable die support; the side edges of each die cavity being offsetrelative to one another in the direction of movement of said movable diesupport; a ram conforming to the cross-sectional shape of said apertureformed by said first and second dies when closed; and mechanism forreciprocating said ram.
 4. A press for shaping comestible products, suchas meat or the like having: a stationary die support; a channel-shapedfirst integral die connected to said stationary support and having anelongated cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape in one side thereofopening into one end of said die and extending the full width of thebottom of the channel; a movable die support; a second integral dieconnected to said movable die support and having a portion receivable inthe channel of said first die with a small clearance thereabout andhaving a second elongated cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape in theportion receivable in the channel of said first die in the side thereoffacing said one side of said first die and extending the full width ofsaid portion; mechanism for moving said second die to and from aposition adjacent to said first die and in which said cavities in saiddies form a tubular aperture of non-cylindrical uniform cross-sectionalshape having a major and minor axis with the major axis inclined to thepath of movement of said movable die support; a ram conforming to thecross-sectional shape of said aperture formed by said first and seconddies when closed; and mechanism for reciprocating said ram.
 5. A dieassembly for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like,comprising: a channel-shaped first integral die having spaced parallelsurfaces facing one another and an elongated outwardly facing die cavityin the bottom side of the channel extending the full width between saidspaced surfaces and extending lengthwise thereof, of uniformcross-sectional shape having at least one end open and side edgesadjoining said parallel surfaces offset relative to one another; and asecond integral die constructed to be at least partially receivablebetween said spaced parallel surfaces of said first die when said diesare closed and having a second elongated die cavity of uniformcross-sectional shape at least one end of which is open facing said diecavity in said first die, said second die cavity being in the part ofsaid second die received between said spaced surfaces, extending thefull width of the receivable part, and terminating in longitudinal sideedges offset relative to one another; said cavities forming when saiddies are closed an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shapehaving a major and a minor axis with at least said major axis inclinedto said parallel surfaces.
 6. A die assembly for shaping a comestibleproduct such as meat or the like, comprising: a channel-shaped firstintegral die having spaced parallel surfaces faciNg one another and anelongated outwardly facing die cavity in the bottom side of the channelextending the full width between said spaced surfaces and extendinglengthwise thereof, of uniform cross-sectional shape open at one endbetween the adjacent ends of said spaced surfaces and having side edgesadjoining said parallel surfaces offset relative to one another; and asecond integral die constructed to be at least partially receivablebetween said spaced surfaces of said first die when said dies are closedand having a second elongated die cavity of uniform cross-sectionalshape at least one end of which is open facing said die cavity of saidfirst die, said second die cavity being in the part of said second diereceived between said spaced surfaces, extending the full width of thereceivable part, and terminating in longitudinal side edges offsetrelative to one another an amount equal to the offset of said side edgesof said die cavity of said first die but in the reverse direction; saidcavities forming when said dies are closed an elongated aperture ofuniform cross-sectional shape having a major and a minor axis with atleast the major axis inclined to said parallel surfaces.
 7. A press forshaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: astationary support, a movable die carrier on said support, achannel-shaped stationary integral die means carried by said support andhaving spaced surfaces facing one another parallel to the plane ofmovement of said movable die carrier and an elongated outwardly facingdie cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape at least one end of which isopen, and extending the full width between the ends of said spacedsurfaces remote from said movable die carrier and having side edgesadjoining said parallel surfaces offset relative to one another in thedirection of movement of said movable die carrier, a movable integraldie means secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be atleast partially receivable between said spaced surfaces of saidstationary die means and having a second elongated die cavity of uniformcross-sectional shape open at both ends in the part receivable betweensaid spaced surfaces and facing said die cavity in said stationary diemeans, said second die cavity extending the full width of the partreceived between said spaced surfaces and terminating in longitudinalside edges offset relative to one another in the direction of movementof said movable die carrier an amount equal to the offset of said sideedges of said die cavity of said stationary die means but in the reversedirection, means to move said movable die carrier and the movable diemeans carried thereby between a first position spaced from saidstationary die means and a second position in which said movable diemeans extends into said stationary die means to form with the stationarydie means an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape havinga major and a minor axis with the major axis inclined to the plane ofmovement of said movable die carrier, a ram conforming in shape to theaperture cross-section and closely receivable within said aperture, aram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinallywithin said aperture from one end thereof.
 8. A die assembly for shapingcomestible products, such as meat or the like, comprising: first andsecond integral die members adapted to be moved towards and from oneanother, said first die member having a flat base, parallel sideportions extending from the base for receiving said second die memberand a concave connecting portion of uniform cross section extending thefull width between said side portions, the junctures between saidconnecting portion and both side portions being straight and parallel,one being offset from, i.e., a different distance from said base than,the other, and said second die member having a portion receivablebetween said parallel side portions that terminates in a cavity ofuniform cross section facing said connecting portiOn; said die membersforming a tubular aperture of non-cylindrical uniform cross-sectionalshape having a major axis inclined to the planes of said parallel sideportions when said second die member is received in said first diemember.
 9. A die assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein a portion of atleast one of said parallel sides of the first die member forms a part ofsaid tubular aperture.
 10. A press for shaping a comestible product suchas meat or the like, comprising: a stationary support, a movable diecarrier on said support, a channel-shaped stationary integral die meanscarried by said support and having spaced surfaces facing one anotherparallel to the plane of movement of said movable die carrier and anelongated outwardly facing die cavity of uniform cross-sectional shapebetween the ends of said spaced surfaces remote from said movable diecarrier and having side edges along said parallel surfaces offsetrelative to one another in the direction of movement of said movable diecarrier, a movable integral die means secured to said movable diecarrier and constructed to be at least partially receivable between saidspaced surfaces of said stationary die means and having a secondelongated die cavity of uniform cross-sectional shape in the partreceivable between said spaced surfaces and facing said die cavity insaid stationary die means, said second die cavity terminating inlongitudinal side edges offset relative to one another in the directionof movement of said movable die carrier an amount equal to the offset ofsaid side edges of said die cavity of said stationary die means but inthe reverse direction, means to move said movable die carrier and themovable die means carried thereby between a first position spaced fromsaid stationary die means and a second position in which said movabledie means extends into said stationary die means to form with thestationary die means an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectionalshape having a major and a minor axis with the major axis inclined tothe plane of movement of said movable die carrier, a ram conforming inshape to the aperture cross-section and closely receivable within saidaperture, and a ram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ramlongitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof.